Advisory Service for Squatters

(ASS)

©Bishopsgate Institute Catalogued by Barbara Vesey, April 2014.

ASS Advisory Service for Squatters 1970-2012

Name of Creator: Advisory Service for Squatters

Extent: 18 boxes, 1 large Mylar sleeve, 1 bundle of folders

Administrative/Biographical History: The Advisory Service for Squatters is a non-profit collective of volunteer workers who provide practical advice and legal support for squatters and homeless people. Established in 1975, the organisation grew out of an earlier group called the Family Squatters Advisory Service (founded in the late 1960s).

Since 1976 ASS has published The Squatters Handbook, the 13th edition of which was published in 2009. Over 150,000 copies have been sold since 1976. The Handbook offers advice on how to find property to squat in, what to do in confrontations with the police, how to maintain the property and set up temporary plumbing, and generally how to survive while squatting. According to the Advisory Service website, the Squatters' Handbook is in high demand, which speaks to the rising number of squatters in this current [2014 at the time of writing] period of global recession.

ASS also has links with squatters’ rights organisations worldwide. After having a base at 2 St Paul’s Road in Islington for many years, ASS moved to premises at Angel Alley (84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX), in the same building as Freedom Press

Custodial History: Deposited with Bishopsgate Institute by Myk Zeitlin, 20 March 2014.

Scope and Content: Includes papers, publications, photographs, posters, leaflets, booklets, correspondence and press cuttings regarding squatting and housing protests in the UK and internationally, 1970-2012.

System of Arrangement: No further arrangement required.

Language/scripts of material: English

Access conditions: OPEN

Copying conditions: Photocopying, scanning and digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Finding Aids: Adlib catalogue and copy of handlist available in researcher’s area.

Rules and Conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

ASS Advisory Service for Squatters 1970-2012 Includes papers, publications, photographs, posters, leaflets, booklets, correspondence and press cuttings regarding squatting and housing protests in the UK and internationally, 1970- 2012. OPEN

ASS/1 Papers, publications, press cuttings 1974-1986 regarding squatting and housing protests in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Belfast (the UK) and Italy Papers, publications, press cuttings regarding squatting and housing protests in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Belfast (the UK) and Italy, 1974-1986. OPEN

ASS/2 Papers, publications, press cuttings 1975-1994 regarding squatting and housing protests in Amsterdam, as reported in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Also papers regarding squatters’ rights in the Basque region of Spain, and in Paris Papers, publications, press cuttings regarding squatting and housing protests in Amsterdam, as reported in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Also papers regarding squatters’ rights in the Basque region of Spain, and in Paris, 1975-1994. OPEN

ASS/3 Papers, publications, press cuttings 1978-1988 regarding squatting and housing protests in Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK (Northern Ireland) Papers, publications, press cuttings regarding squatting and housing protests in Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK (Northern Ireland). 1978-1988. OPEN

ASS/4 Papers, publications, press cuttings and 1965-1999 posters, letterhead regarding the UK Advisory Service for Squatters and the London Squatters Campaign Papers, publications, press cuttings and posters, letterhead regarding the UK Advisory Service for Squatters and the London Squatters Campaign. Includes the Alternative Housing Handbook,

Camden Squatters newsletter, questionnaire for squatters and squatting groups.1965-1999. OPEN

ASS/5 Press cuttings regarding the UK Advisory 1975-2012 Service for Squatters and other squatters’ organisations Press cuttings regarding the UK Advisory Service for Squatters and other squatters’ organisations, 1970s-2000s. Divided by decade: 1970s/1980s/1990/2000s. 1975 - 2012 OPEN

ASS/6 Press cuttings regarding squatters in Italy 1980s and Amsterdam Press cuttings regarding squatters in Italy (cuttings in Italian) and Amsterdam (cuttings in English and Dutch) OPEN

ASS/7 Papers, publications, press cuttings, 1970-1980 correspondence regarding London squatting groups Papers, publications, press cuttings, correspondence regarding local London squatting groups: Waltham Forest, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge, Brent, Hounslow, Wandsworth, Haringey, Ealing. 1970s. Includes: - ‘Political Litany’ leaflet dated 1817 (photocopy) - Direct Action Pamphlets No. 5, ‘How Labour Governed 1945-1951’ from the Syndicalist Workers Federation - conference booklet, ‘The New Housing Crisis – What to Do? – the record of a day of discussion organised by Housing Action’ June 1980 - newsletters of the Family Squatting Movement OPEN

ASS/8 Papers, publications, press cuttings about 1976-1992 the Criminal Trespass Bill Papers, publications, press cuttings about the Criminal Trespass Bill - Campaign against a Criminal Trespass Law newsletter (no. 2, 1976) - King’s Cross Railway Lands Group newsletter (no. 8 April 1992) - Information and advice leaflets regarding the Criminal Law Act 1977 OPEN

ASS/9 Papers, publications regarding local 1980s (London) squatting/housing groups Papers, publications regarding local (London) squatting/housing group information/materials: Camberwell, Camden, Lambeth, Battersea, Tower Hamlets and Hackney, Islington, Kilburn, Frestonia, Westminster, Hampstead OPEN

ASS/10 SAC [Squatters Action Council] and 1977-1979 Squatters News newsheets - SAC [Squatters Action Council] newsheets issues 1-28 and 30 (Nov? 1975-June 1977) - Squatters News [Official Newsletter of London Squatters Union] issues 1-28 (Aug 1977-Oct 1979) - Press clipping about a ‘buskers cabaret protesting about the arrest of two fellow performers’, members of Ashes; mention also made in this article of Rough Theatre and Demolition Decorators organisations OPEN

ASS/11 Papers, publications, press cuttings and 1974-1995 stationery for the UK Advisory Service for Squatters Papers, publications, press cuttings and stationery for the UK Advisory Service for Squatters. Includes banking mandates for the organisation (closed?). 1974-1995 OPEN

ASS/12 Papers, publications, press cuttings n.d. regarding squatters in Germany and Hong Kong Papers, publications, press cuttings regarding squatters in Germany and Hong Kong. Also copies of the Community Action Investigations Handbook and the Alternative Housing Handbook OPEN

ASS/13 Papers, publications, press cuttings, 1973-1976 photographs regarding ASS Papers, publications, press cuttings, photographs regarding ASS. Also back issues of EASY – the newssheet of Elgin Avenue/Maida Hill Squatters Association: no’s 2-140 (1973- 1976)

OPEN

ASS/14 The Islington Gutter Press c1973-1986 Issues of the Islington Gutter Press, nos 3, 8, n.d., 13 (1974), 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 33, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 74 (Feb 1981), 90, 91, 100, 107 (May 1984), Dec/Jan 1985, 119 (April 1986) OPEN

ASS/15 Posters regarding housing and other 1970s- political causes 1980s Posters regarding housing issues, benefits lists, advisory centres, demonstrations, anti-domestic violence, men’s health, animal rights, squatters' rights and housing events. Mostly UK, a few in Dutch. c1970s-1980s OPEM

ASS/16 Flyers and leaflets regarding squatters 1980-1994 campaigns Includes: - Flyers and leaflets regarding the ‘Stop the M11 link’ campaign [n.d.] - Road Breaker newsletter issues 11 to 22 - not a complete set [June 1993-September 1994] - Papers and press cuttings regarding policy on supply of electricity and gas to squatters [1984] - Blank survey regarding fuel debts and disconnection [10pp] [n.d.] - Annual Report: Spitalfields Housing and Planning Rights Service [August 1980] - Booklet, ‘The Law, the Homeless and the Council in Tower Hamlets’ [June 1981] OPEN

ASS/17 Squatters campaigns 1975-1981 Includes: - Papers, publications, press cuttings, photographs regarding squatters campaigns (LSU/SAC) [1975-1977] - Elgin Street squatters [1981] - All London Squatters Federation meeting minutes and newsletters [1975] OPEN

ASS/18 Photographs of protest 1975-1995 Photographs of protest marches for saving the GLC (Greater London Council), CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament), ASS itself, London

Tenants Organisation, commemorating the Mass Trespass onto Kinder Scout, Campaign Against Criminal Trespass OPEN

ASS/19 Photographs of ASS premises 1981-1993 Photographs, in colour, mostly of a fire at the ASS offices. Photocopies of press cuttings. [June 1981-August 1993] OPEN

ASS/20 Photographs of squatters in London and 1975-1995 abroad Photographs of squats in: South London – Selby Road [September 1975], Thurlow House [1976], Bromley [1975], Villa Road [1975] Berlin [1982] Italy – Venice and Udine [1976] Draycott Place, London [1977] Cruden Street, London [1977] Amsterdam [1977] Maastricht [1980] Paris [1976 and 1995] OPEN

ASS/21 Photographs of squats in London and 1973-1978 Western Europe Photographs of squats in London and Western Europe: The Netherlands – Amsterdam, Maastricht and Utrecht [1973-1978] West London – Orsett Terrace [1976], Welby House, Hazelville Road N19 [n.d.] Sweden [n.d.] St Agnes Place, London [1977] Cleveland Street [n.d.] Elgin Street, London [1974] OPEN

ASS/22 Papers, publications, press cuttings 1974-1980 regarding London squatting communities Papers, publications, press cuttings regarding London squatting communities at Elgin Street, Dover Street, Tolmers Square, Hornsey Rise, Kilner House (Kennington), Shenys, Huntley Street Includes papers regarding legal proceedings in the Chancery Division of the High Court [1974- 80]

OPEN

ASS/23 Squatting newsheets and comics 1983-1985 Issues of Wire – Southwark Squatting comic: - No 1 [01 Aug 1983] - Extra [31 Aug 1983] - Nos 5-17 [21 Oct 1983 – 06 Apr 1984] - Nos 19-22 [18 May 1984 – 12 July 1984] - Nos 24-30 [27 July 1984 – 02 November 1984] - Nos 33-35 [30 November 1984 – 04 January 1985] - Nos 38-40 [22 February 1985 – 12 March 1985] - No 43 [03 May 1985] Two issues of Wire/KATA – newsletter for the Kingslake and Alvey Tenants Association [1984] Two issues (nos 2 and 4) of SNOWKAT – the Squatters’ Newsheet Of Walworth Kompletely Arbitrary Title [1983] Two examples of Sharper Focus on Squatting newsletter [2 copies of one newsletter; one copy of another] [1983] OPEN

ASS/24 Elgin Avenue (London) squat 1971-1973 Papers, publications, press cuttings, photographs regarding squatters at Elgin Avenue, London 1971-1973. Includes copies of several issues of EASY – the newssheet of Elgin Avenue/Maida Hill Squatters Association [see also ASS/13] OPEN

ASS/25 International squatting rights organisations 1993-1995 Papers and publications regarding international squatting rights organisations including the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), French organisation Droit au Logement [Housing Rights] , FEANTSA (Federation Europeenne d’Associations Nationales Travaillant avec les Sans-Abri [European Federation of National Organizations Working with the Homeless]), the UN Economic and Social Council and the Netherlands-based organisation COHRE (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions). Includes the (1995) book ‘Homelessness in the European Union’ by Dr Dragana Avramov, and the (1993) report ‘Abandoned: Profile of Europe’s homeless people’ by Mary Daly. [1993-1995]

OPEN

ASS/26 Squatters News and other publications 1975-1979 Includes: - photocopy of Planning Aid leaflet 2 produced by the Planning Aid Service, February 1978 - issues of Squatters News (see also ASS/9): Vol 1 Nos 1-28 (Saturday 20 August 1977 – 08 October 1979) and Vol 2 No 1 (September 1980) and undated issue - SAC (Squatter Action Council) Newsheet Nos 1-32 (c. October 1975: No 2 is 04 December 1975 – 27 July 1977) OPEN

ASS/27 International squatters’ movements 1985-2000 Papers and publications regarding British and international (French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, American) squatters’ issues. Includes: - booklet, ‘Squat It’ [May/June 1989] - newsletter from the Squatter’s Union of Victoria [December 1985] - ‘Homeless in Europe’, the newsletter of FEANTSA (Federation Europeenne d’Associations Nationales Travaillant avec les Sans-Abri [European Federation of National Organizations Working with the Homeless]) [Spring and Autumn 2001] - ‘Green Pepper’ magazine (‘an alternative lifestyle and direct action cookbook of the eyfa network’ [Amsterdam; in English]) [Summer 1999] - booklet, ‘Nightmare on 13th Street’ about a squat on New York’s East 13th Street [1995] - ‘Legal Resources for Housing Rights’ produced by COHRE (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions) [June 2000] - ‘Towards an International Convention on Housing Rights: Options at Habitat II’ by Scott Leckie, ASIL (American Society of International Law) [December 1994] - booklets produced by the UK Young Homelessness Group and the Institute of Housing - GLC Housing Research and Policy Reports Nos 2 (August 1985) and 4 (February 1986) OPEN

ASS/28 Town and Country Planning Association 1980-1991 Papers and publications published by the Town and Country Planning Association Includes: - 'Network: the newsletter of the Town and Country Planning Association’ [April 1984] - ‘Planning Aid’ Nos 1-43 (10 October 1980-May 1985) except missing Nos 9 and 14; one undated/unnumbered - five issues of Planning Bulletin [1980-1981] - booklets including one regarding ‘Local Plans in London and Your Rights’ - Planning Aid for London Annual Report [1991] OPEN

ASS/29 Release (drugs information service) 1970-1975 Publications by Release Publications Ltd, 1 Elgin Avenue, London W9. ‘Release was founded in 1967 to provide legal advice in response to the growing harassment by the police of young people of unconventional appearances and attitudes.’ It continues to the present day as ‘the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. The organisation, founded in 1967, is an independent and registered charity.’ - ‘Just Another Truckstop’ [1975] – a supplement to Truckers’ Bible - ‘Trucker’s [sic] Bible’ [1974] – about international laws regarding drug smuggling, by country Also includes: - Report by the [UK Home Office] Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence: ‘The Amphetamines and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) [1970] OPEN

ASS/30 Papers, publications and press clippings 1976-1978 regarding Christiania, the Free Town in Copenhagen, Denmark Papers, publications and press clippings regarding Freetown Christiania, Denmark Includes book in Danish, ‘Hvad Med Christiania’ and a typescript English translation of it, ‘Christiania – facts about the Free Town in Copenhagen’ OPEN

ASS/31 The Squatters Handbook 1977-1986 Drafts and final editions of The Squatters Handbook, 1977-1986. Includes: - 5th edition 1978 - master copy of 7th edition 1981: ISBN 0 9507769 04 - draft of 1984 edition - draft of 1986 edition OPEN

ASS/32 Papers regarding squatters' rights 1973-1988 Papers, publications and press clippings regarding squatters' rights, 1973-1988. Includes: - the LEB [London Electricity Board] 26 Defence Committee [this was set up by a group of 26 people arrested for occupying the offices of the LEB in Notting Hill, in order to launch a campaign 1) to force the LEB to supply electricity; and 2) to get the LEB to drop charges against the LEB 26]. - a report by The Southwark Forum, ‘Housing and Single People in Southwark’ - Lewisham Family Squatting Association newsletters - comic, ‘A ramble through Freestonia with ‘‘Manic Annie’’ and ‘‘Tommy Atkins’’ - Wandsworth Peoples [sic] Magazine ‘Lower Down’ - Brighton Voice community paper - copy of letter regarding a fire at the ASS offices ‘caused by Nazi [sic] sympathisers who broke into the building’ - Centre for Environmental Studies Review No 2, [December 1977] - correspondence with Chartered Surveyors Copping Joyce and with the London Borough of Islington Legal Department and with Hallewell & Co Solicitors regarding the ASS offices property at 2/2A St Paul’s Road, London N1, [1984] - booklet produced by the Self-Help Housing Research Library, ‘Squatters – Myth & Fact: A summary of surveys on squatters’, [1977] - London Housing News [1988] OPEN

ASS/33 Campaign for Single Homeless People 1976-1981 Papers and publications regarding CHAR, the Campaign for Single Homeless People, 1976-

1981 Includes annual reports, minutes of meetings and CHAR newssheet Nos 11-27 [missing Nos 17 and 20] (May 1975-July 1977) OPEN

ASS/34 Papers and publications regarding squatters' 1973-1992 rights Papers and publications regarding squatters' rights,1973-1992. Includes: - correspondence between ASS and London Borough of Islington Valuation Department, October 1984 - correspondence from the Legal Action Group, May 1977 - single numbers of various journals including Support, Service (Journal of International Voluntary Service), Outset (Housing Association charity), Filthy Lies (Merton Community paper), Agitator, London Free Press, On the Line (Brighton Housing Trust’s Paper on Homelessness), Brighton Voice, Casecon, Agitprop, Rough Justice, Linkline, Labour Research, Scoop, Relay, Inside Story, Mole Express, Rights (Journal of the National Council for Civil Liberties), Opt (Organisation of Private Tenants), Race Today, 1973-1978 - Wild Women’s Newsletter, Autumn 1990 - Ruff Tuff Cream Puff estate agency bulletins OPEN